Monday 17 November 2025

Rachel Cooke
(1969-2025)

The College is deeply saddened to share the news of the death of alumna Rachel Cooke (1988 English).

A celebrated journalist, Rachel was best known for her long-running food column in The Observer and as a television critic for the New Statesman. She authored several books, including the acclaimed Her Brilliant Career: Ten Extraordinary Women of the Fifties.

Rachel died on 14 November aged 56 after a short battle with cancer.

An obituary is available on The Observer website: Remembering Rachel Cooke